Businesses affected by the Coronavirus outbreak are being urged to apply for funding under the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund from Allerdale Borough Council.
Grants up to £25,000 are available to businesses with fewer than 50 staff that haven’t received either the Coronavirus Small Business or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants. Funding for the scheme comes from central government as part of its business support measures in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Each district council in Cumbria – including Allerdale – has been given a pot of money to distribute at their discretion. Allerdale council is inviting businesses to apply this week and next, and will then assess the applications and award as many grants as possible. Grants can be allocated in amounts of £25,000, £10,000 or less at the discretion of the local authority. Given the limited funding available it is unlikely that many, if any, grants of £25,000 will be awarded to enable more businesses to benefit.
Central Government’s key criteria for businesses to be able to access the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund are:
- To have been trading on the 11th March 2020
- To not have been eligible or received a grant from the existing Covid grant schemes or other support schemes (excluding the Self-employed Income Support Scheme).
The initial guidance provided by government excluded those businesses that were eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme but through continued local and national representation by councils and partners, the criteria of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund was amended on the 23rd May to include such businesses.
In addition to the eligibility criteria, the Government has outlined that the grants are primarily and predominantly aimed at the following businesses:
- Small or micro businesses
- Businesses with relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs
- Businesses which can demonstrate that they have suffered a significant fall in income due to the COVID-19 crisis
- Businesses which occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments below £51,000 (where a rateable value exists this will be the figure used)
Cllr Mike Johnson, deputy leader of Allerdale Borough Council, said: “We want to help as many eligible businesses as possible, and so I’d encourage every business to apply for this grant. The scheme is designed to help those who have not been able to take advantage of some of the other help that is available, so it is even more crucial that these businesses get the assistance they at entitled to.
“The scheme itself is designed to provide help to those most in need, and to provide a meaningful payment to as many businesses as possible. There is a 14-day window for applications – meaning that it won’t be on a first-come first-served basis. Therefore, I’d encourage everyone to collate the documentation and evidence together before applying online – and ensure they have everything required before submitting their application. Doing so will help us process applications, meaning we can make payments as soon as possible after the 14 day application window is over.”
Businesses can find more details on the scheme on the council’s website: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-grants-claims/discretionary-grant-scheme/ – the online form is available on the same page of the website. The council is encouraging applicants to read the eligibility criteria closely before applying, and making sure they include all the necessary documentation to accompany their application.
Applicants will need to submit their application before 5pm on Monday, 15th June. Applications will close at this point and will be assessed with funding prioritised and paid out to businesses as soon as possible.
